Monday, December 30, 2019

What to Do if a Co-worker is Job Searching - The Muse

What to Do if a Co-worker is Job Searching - The MuseWhat to Do if a Co-worker is Job Searching Eventually, we all leave one employer and move on to something new. Its the circle of life. However, when its a colleague whos leaving- especially one you value and respect- discovering that shes hunding for a new gig can be conflicting to say the least. You want herbei to stay, but at the same time you recognize shes talented and may have great opportunities waiting for her. What do you do? Here are a few suggestions.Pretend Its YouIf you really appreciate your colleague, then give her the respect and consideration youd hope for if you were in her shoes. Would you want anyone who suspected you were looking around to blab it to your manager? Probably not. And you definitely dont want anyone churning up the rumor mill every time you dress up a little bit for work and take a long lunch. (Although, to be fair, thats a dead giveaway.)So what would you want? A few years ago, I welches in this p osition, and I was terrified that someone would find out I was interviewing. Although I was ready to move on, I still felt a ton of loyalty toward my company at the time, and the last thing I wanted to do was make anyone feel like I didnt think the company was good enough. And then something amazing happened. My manager took our team out for happy hour and asked us how things were going. He got us all talking about what was working, what wasnt, and what would make our work life better. My Spidey-sense was tingling, and I suspected he knew I was looking. But he never confronted me directly instead he took his suspicion as an opportunity to check in with the team. This ended up having a positive impact not only on me but with the rest of the team as well. While I shared some of the things irking me, everyone else did too, and we uncovered a few pain points that could easily be remedied. Our grievances were noted and heard with genuine interest, and our manager promised to follow up so on with a game plan.The result? I was so impressed with my managers effort that I slowed my search to see how things panned out. While theres no guarantee you can charm an employee back from the brink, trying to understand why shes looking elsewhere just might help you keep her. Encourage Her to Come Clean (to You)One of the most nerve-racking aspects of the job hunt is wondering if youve been found out. Its as if the moment you send out your resume, youre transported into another dimension where everyone else can see right through you and know exactly how many non-work related emails youve been sending out every day. So, knowing who knows what you know is surprisingly comforting. Its not something you want the entire office to be aware of, of course. But if someone catches you red-handed, its way better if everyone fesses up so you dont have to feel like youre living a total lie. Lets take that time I went out for a walk and met a recruiter at a coffee shop I thought was a safe dis tance from my office as an example. As I sat down with my latt and the recruiter, I discovered in horror that one of my colleagues was just a few spots behind me in line. I worked in a small office, so hed heard my walk lie. I was busted. We exchanged awkward glances and went about our business.Later that evening, after everyone else had left for the day, he approached me. He told me that he suspected I was interviewing, or at least looking around, and that hed keep it to himself. And what he said next kinda blew my mind. He asked if there was anything he could do to help. Huh? Well, as you may remember, we all go through this at least a few times in our careers. He understood I needed to see what was out there, and he wanted me to know I had a friend on the inside. I ended up staying at that job for another two years. Having a trusted co-worker I could bounce ideas and offers by was not only useful professionally, but emotionally as well.Call for ReinforcementsThis is a tricky opti on, but if you suspect theres actually something that can be done to keep an awesome colleague, it may be your best bet. If possible, let your colleague know youre aware of the situation, and that youd love to help keep her on. If she doesnt freak out or totally object, its safe to proceed. Then, approach someone you think could actually do something about the situation and let him or her know (in confidence) that you suspect your colleague may be looking, and why. This works especially well if your colleague isnt privy to information youre not at liberty to share, but someone else with authority is. This happened with me when I learned one of my employees was ready to jump ship because she didnt get along with her manager. Thankfully, one of her colleagues came to me with the intel, and I was able to have a chat with her to let her know that the manager in question would soon be moving on. She ended up sticking around for another year.Change is hard, and its never going to be easy when you hear that one of your favorite teammates is thinking about leaving. But remember There are things you can do to show your support- and maybe even keep her around for a bit longer. Photo of colleagues talking courtesy of Shutterstock

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

These are Bill Gates top summer reading list books

These are Bill Gates top summer reading list booksThese are Bill Gates top summer reading list booksBill Gates is many things. A tech mogul, innovative genius, philanthropist, avid reader and apparently he is also obsessed with puppies The last one is very true as on his blog, GatesNotes, he recommends five books for your summer reading pleasure using a variety of puppies to reenact the plots.But though he uses the cutest of creatures he writes, When I pulled together this list of five that you might enjoy this summer, I realized that several of my choices wrestle with big questions. What makes a genius tick? Why do bad things happen to good people? Where does humanity come from, and where are we headed?Here are his five recommended books for summer 2018 and watch the video with adorable puppies below.1. Leonardo da Vinci, by Walter IsaacsonGates said he has always been fascinated by da Vinci and his wide range of interests and there is no better biographer than Isaacson. Isaacson al so does a great job of explaining why Leonardos work is so revered. Unless youre an art historian, you might even wonder if paintings like theMona Lisaare famous just for being famous. But Walter shows how Leonardos genius is in the details, writes Gates.Looking for an inspiring way to start your day? Sign up forMorning MotivationIts our friendly Facebook robot that will send you a quick note every weekday morning to help you start strong. Sign up here by clicking Get Started2.Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies Ive Loved, by Kate Bowler.Gates goes a little dark with his next pick. The book centers around Bowler, a professor, who is diagnosed with colon cancer and wants to understand why and how to deal with this death sentence. The central questions in this book really resonated with me. On one hand, its nihilistic to think that every outcome is simply random. I have to believe that the world is better when we act morally, and that people who do good things deserve a som ewhat better fate on average than those who dont, he writes. Gates finds it to be a surprisingly funny memoir.3.Lincoln in the Bardo, by George SaundersAnother book about Lincoln, but this one is particularly interesting as it blends together fact and fiction. Gates writes, Its basically a long conversation among 166 ghosts, including Lincolns deceased son. I got new insight into the way Lincoln must have been crushed by the weight of both grief and responsibility.4.Origin Story A Big History of Everything, by David ChristianGates is a big groupie of Christian, saying his course,Big History, is one of his all-time favorites. He labels this book as being a great introduction to the course. Understanding where humanity comes from is crucial to shaping where we go next.Origin Storyis an up-to-date history of everything that will leave you with a greater appreciation of our place in the universe.5.Factfulness, by Hans Rosling, with Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling RonnlundGates says this is a fascinating read by the famous global health lecturer. The bulk of the book is devoted to ten instincts that keep us from seeing the world factfully. These range from the fear instinct (we pay more attention to scary things) to the size instinct (standalone numbers often look more impressive than they really are) to the gap instinct (most people fall between two extremes, writes Gates. The French Bulldog puppy also made this book look particularly interesting.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Feline Veterinarian Career Profile

Feline Veterinarian Career ProfileFeline Veterinarian Career ProfileFeline veterinarians are practitioners that specialize in providing comprehensive health care for cats. Duties Feline veterinarians are small animal veterinarians who specialize in diagnosing and treating health problems in cats. Many feline veterinarians work at cat-exclusive animal hospitals or small animal clinics. The typical routine for a feline veterinarian includes performing basic health exams, giving vaccinations, prescribing medications when warranted, performing spay and neuter surgeries, drawing blood, suturing wounds, performing post-surgical exams, and cleaning teeth. Other duties may include monitoring the reproductive health of breeding animals, assisting with dystocias (problem births), operating specialized equipment such as ultrasound machines, and evaluating x-rays. Veterinarians frequently work long and varied schedules, as they may be on call for potential emergencies on nights, weekends, or holidays. Many vet offices are closed on Sunday, but it is common for clinics to be open at least part of the day on Saturday. Feline vets may also choose to offer mobile veterinary care, driving to their clients homes in a van that has been fitted with the necessary medical equipment. Career Options According to statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), mora than 75% of vets work in private practice. Feline vets may be a part of cat-only clinics, small animal clinics, emergency hospitals, or mixed practices that also provide equine or large animal veterinary services. Outside of private practice, veterinarians may also work in education, veterinary pharmaceutical sales, the military, or government research labs. Education and Training All small animal veterinarians graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, which is achieved after a comprehensive course of study focused on both small and large animals. There are currently 30 colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States that offer a DVM program, and admissions are highly competitive. After graduation, veterinarians must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) to become professionally licensed to practice medicine. Approximately 2,500 veterinarians graduate and enter the profession each year. At the end of 2010, the most recent AVMA employment survey available, there were 95,430 practicing U.S. veterinarians. Small animal exclusive vets were responsible for more than 67% of that total. The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) offers board certification to feline specialists. Applicants for board certification must have at least 6 years of experience and pass a rigorous examination to achieve Diplomate status. Professional Associations The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) is a prominent professional association that publishes the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. The AAFP also has a Cat-Friendly Prac tice certification program. The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) started as the European Society of Feline Medicine in 1996, but changed its name to reflect its worldwide scope in 2010. The society hosts an annual Feline Congress event that attracts more than 500 feline practitioners. Salary The zentralwert wage for all veterinarians was approximately $82,040 ($39.44 per hour) in 2011, based on salary data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Earnings in this survey varied from less than $49,910 for the lowest 10% of all veterinarians to more than $145,230 for the top 10% of all veterinarians. According to the AVMA, the median professional income for companion animal exclusive veterinarians (before taxes) was $97,000 in 2009. Vets in companion animal predominant practice earned a similar median income of $91,000. Feline exclusive data was not available. Small animal vets fared the best of all new graduates, with an average compensation of $64,744 in their first year of practice. Veterinarians who are board certified in a particular specialty area (including feline specialty) generally earn significantly higher salaries due to their significant training and experience. In 2010, AVMA survey results showed that there were 473 board certified canine and feline diplomates and 290 board certified small animal surgeons (some vets hold dual certifications). Job Outlook According to data from the BLS, the veterinary profession is set to expand much more quickly than the average rate for all careers- nearly 33% during the decade from 2008 to 2018. The extremely limited number of graduates from accredited veterinary programs should keep vets in high demand. The AVMAs most recent employment survey (conducted in December 2010) found that there were 61,502 vets in private practice. Of that number, there were 41,381 vets in companion animal exclusive practices and an additional 5,966 in companion animal predominant practices. As the numbe r of cats kept as pets continue to rise, and spending on medical care for cats also shows steady increases, all signs point to a strong market for feline veterinary services over the next decade.

Monday, December 16, 2019

How to Get a Babysitting Job

How to Get a Babysitting JobHow to Get a Babysitting JobBabysitting jobs arent just for high school and college students older adults and stay-at-home parents who want to earn extra income are also caring for kids. Here are some tips for finding a babysitting job. Preparing for Babysitting Work Learn basic safety and first aid as well as how to respond to common emergencies. Parents are trusting you with their most valuable possessionlet them know that youre trained and prepared for any crisis that might arise. Learn how to handle situations such as ChokingMinor cutsFalls and head injuriesGetting locked out of the houseA fireAn intruderA child running off Get certified in first aid and CPRthis will not only give you a leg up to stand out from your competition but you can also charge more by bringing additional skills to the table. Parents will likely pay a premium if they know youre trained to save a life. Learn about child behavior and discipline. How will you handle a kid who c ries incessantly, throws a tantrum, hits you or refuses to take a bath? What about siblings who wont stop fighting? Coursework in child behavior and child psychology can arm you with strategies along with interning in a nursery school or daycare. Finding Babysitting Work Network. Let your friends and family know youre available for babysitting. Ask your parents to tell their friends, as well. If there are families with young children in your neighborhood, hang out at the playground and introduce yourselfGet a referral. Do you know someone whos graduating from school and going to college? If they have a babysitting job, inquire if you can take over their clientele.Check with your school. Try your guidance office or college career office for a list of babysitting jobs. Job sites. Register with sites like SitterCity. Jobs posting are specific, detailing the hourly wage and strict requirement and rules regarding things like cell phone usage, driving requirements, meal preparation, h elp with homework and more.Check bulletin boards. Look on bulletin boards in coffee shops, community centers, gyms and the library.Find moms groups. Seek out moms clubs and church groups pass out flyers or post about services on their forums.Securing Babysitting WorkBe prepared Answer questions that will impress parents and win their confidence. Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher? Stop bleeding? Deal with a screaming baby? Plan activities Let parents know how you intend to entertain the kids with activities appropriate for their age. Check sites like Zero to Three and Care.com for ideas.Check-in, show up and follow through Once you snag one babysitting job, turn the parents into repeat clients by demonstrating your professionalism. Call or text beforehand to make sure they still need you at the specified time. Arrive on time, even a few minutes early to give parents time to walk you through any details and instructions. And lastly, carry out their wisheswhether thats no snac king after dinner or having the kids in bed by 9. Check out the family before you accept a job Ask for references, including people who have worked for the family in the past. Suggest meeting at a library or playground at firstthe children will be more at ease and you can get to know the family on neutral territory.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

How to Improve Your Resume with Focus and Consistency

How to Improve Your Resume with Focus and Consistency How to Improve Your Resume with Focus and Consistency Many websites offer advice on how to improve your resume via fancy fixes and attention-getting flourishes, but its the simplest details that make critical differences. Your resumes path to the yes pile lies in your ability to master the fundamentals. Take a step back and ask yourself what is really necessary.Still getting your resume together? Check out these articlesResume Sections What You Need and Where You Need Them6 Steps to Writing Your Resume Work Experience52 Resume Tips to Transform Your Job SearchTo improve your resume, go back to basics and tighten up the seemingly insignificant aspects of your application. This includes demonstrating focus and being consistent with your content.How to improve your resumes focusFocusing your resume means knowing what is appropriate and relevant for a given industry or position.You should let this kind of professional discernment driv e your resume writing process from the beginning to the end. This concept encomreisepasses everything from the content to the form.For example, the type of language youll use and the level of detail youll provide will change from one industry to another. The same thing applies to your resume formatting, layout, and style. Make aya you research your industry thoroughly and review successful resumes for you to follow.Here are some ways to focus your resumeNarrow down your content to align with your desired positionNothing is more annoying to recruiters than a candidate who lacks focus and understanding of what the position and the company entail. Review every aspect of your resume asking, How does this make me a good fit for this specific position? If it doesnt, consider removing it.Make sure youre using the appropriate language and tone for the jobDont hesitate to get a little technical if its called for. When you review your resume, make sure you replace every vague word for more me aningful terms that resonate with people in the industry. For example, instead of writing increased online sales by 15%, write increased web traffic conversion rate by 15%.Shine a light on your past accomplishmentsCarefully pick the achievements that show your ability to overcome the challenges at the job youre applying for. Its better to expand on fewer relevant accomplishments than selling yourself short by mentioning everything youve ever accomplished.Read More39 Accomplishment Examples for Your ResumeThe Simple Formula for Identifying Your Key AchievementsChoose winning keywords for your position and industryChoosing the right resume keywords is a game changer in many industries as it will help you pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS). Focusing on exact keywords found in the job description may help you rank higher in an ATS. Jobscans resume optimization tool analyzes your resume against the job description to show which keywords you need on your resume. Delete any clut ter and words that dont matterThis advice cannot be overstated respect your readers time.Strictly limit the information on your resume to the minimum necessary, or information key to helping the recruiter make an informed decision about your candidacy.Some ATS even use something called signal to noise ratio when analyzing the content of your resume. The higher percentage of words in your resume that relate to the job description, the higher you can rank. Filler could land you in the no pile.How to improve your resumes consistencyOnce your resume fits your industry and desired position, you need to make sure your resume fits itself. Pay attention to every detail. This kind of minutia will strengthen your credibility and boost your professionalism.Proofread your resume for typos and grammatical mistakesTypos and grammatical mistakes speak so much about your rigor and professionalism that most recruiters will shamelessly dismiss you if they find them in your resume.There are many onlin e tools out there (like Grammarly) that can help you proofread your resume for spelling and grammar. Ask friends to take 10 minutes of their time to give you a hand schmierblutung the last few errors in your resume.Make sure your spelling, sentence structure, and usage are the same throughout your resumeSometimes there are several ways to express an idea or a concept, so make sure that you use the same one throughout your entire resume.For example, if you wrote increased profit margins by 50% over a 4-month period, dont write increased customer base by 40 percent over a six-month period somewhere else in your resume (% to percent and 4-month to six-month).If you use the serial comma (also known as the Oxford comma), use it everywhere.Say their last position they were there from 10/12/2010 until 11/1/2017 but in the previous company the person said from November 2, 2008 until January 3, 2009, a recruiter told Jobscan. Thats misformatted in the way the dates are conveyed. I know thats a very nitpicky thing, but Ive had candidates not move forward in the process because of something like that.Consistency is your best policy.Make sure your resume is easily skimmableTry to read your resume as fast as you can, skimming from one section to the other. What do you take away?If recruiters cant get a sense of who you are by only skimming your resume, then all your hard work was in vain. It was proven times and again, recruiters spend just a few seconds looking at your resume before they make a decision.Jobscans resume optimization tool checks for things like sentence and bullet point length to ensure that recruiters can easily skim your resume.Need help getting started?Start by scanning your resume with Jobscans resume optimization tool for a checklist of missing keywords, ATS insights, recruiter preferences, and other resume best practices??

Friday, December 6, 2019

Top Secret Facts About Best Resumes 2019 Revealed by Industry Leaders

Top Secret Facts About Best Resumes 2019 Revealed by Industry Leaders What You Dont Know About Best Resumes 2019 Afterwards, you may download your resume at no cost, so that you are able to edit it in MS Word or Google Docs. Moreover there are many resume templates Microsoft Word to pick from that its really hard to land on that 1 link which will actually get the job done for you. Word Resume templates are complete with the whole outline structure and the majority of the content which makes way for a powerful resume in an issue of only two or three minutes. They are easy to find or spot on the netz and can be downloaded for further use. Save yourself from getting nervous and take advantage of the readymade resume templates that are obtainable for all types of job-profiles. The chronological format is the most widely used by jobseekers. There are more than only a couple of pointers which you have to remember and fully adhere to when designing a resume even when youre employing a readymade template. The resume format sample needs to be carried out well. You can opt for chronological, functional and modern resume formats. Have a peek at these examples to choose which format is most appropriate for you. There are various kinds of chronological formats offered and you ought to download freshers resume format templates to receive all the variations and decide on the very best. 1 additional benefit of Monster is that, being international, you can use it in order to discover decent quality resume advice on destinations away from the USA. Therefore, our purpose is to provide you the very best tools you must succeed. Your purpose is to quantifiably prove that youre able to. The target of your resume is to secure you the interview. The Basic Facts of Best Resumes 2019 The ample spacing enables candidates to earn a clean note of their tasks like interpersonal abilities, coordination skills, and client relations skills. Its very crucial to comprehend the typ e of resumes preferred by the establishment that you need to work for. Whichever format you select, it should make you become selected for the job youre applying for. The formatting may shift or break if used with different applications, even though it needs to be easily modifiable to appear correct. Therefore, in case you have a resume that isnt in an ATS-friendly format, it is probable you wont be contacted for an interview. The very first thing you ought to do is make sure a possible employer knows whose resume theyre taking a look at You want to demonstrate that you have done things. The very brde thing you wish to do is receive a job that you cant do. The response is 6 seconds for the very first pass. You may change the personal statement in line with the organization or job youre applying to but dont just make one-goes-for-all sort of private statement. The work market is 1 area, which wont dry all year long. There are instances if you want to apply to get a business o r job position in which you dont require any kind of creative or artistic ability. Every individuals resume looks slightly different. But What About Best Resumes 2019? Not only are you going to look bad, but it will haunt you down the line with other future prospective employers. Bear in mind employment gaps, career trajectory, where youre in your industry, and where you intend on going. The superfluous assortment of resumes are presently in the service of your organization. While all resumes should offer information on your work and education experience, in addition to your abilities and accomplishments, there are various ways to present this info. Its ideal for a professional who works in social networking or internet marketing. Volunteer experience is also a great add-on to healthcare resumes as it shows the hiring manager you have compassion off the work too. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with lots of the very same skills. There are several resume writing guidebooks out there on the market which may help you. The Illustrator file makes the the majority of colour to help its simplicity. All artwork and text are totally customizable. The whole assortment of resume templates is made up of a variety of creative resume designs. In the event the template appears different than the example it could be because you dont have the right font.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Searching for a Flexible Job Here are 50 Roles You Haven#8217;t Even Thought of Yet

Searching for a Flexible Job Here are 50 Roles You Haven8217t Even Thought of Yet When you think flexible job, what usually comes to mind? Probably some sort of telecommuting role, right? Something in content marketing, maybe its pretty easy to write some blog posts and run social media accounts from any laptop, isnt it? So, if youre in search of a flexible job, you may spend all your time looking for roles like this.As it turns out, in doing so, youre greatly limiting your opportunities. See, the folks at FlexJobs recently spent some time scouring their database of job postings from the past year to see what kinds ofjobs actually fit into the flexible job category.Some of the results are genuinely shocking who new roles like senior marine scientist or threat researcher could be flexible?Below, we offer FlexJobs entire list of the 50 Most Surprising Flexible Jobs in 2015. You can also view the l ist on FlexJobs site, if youd prefer.But, no matter where you view it, remember If you want a flexible job, you may want to try your hand at one of these career paths.(Note FlexJobs defines flexible job as a job that has atelecommuting, flexible schedule, freelance, seasonal, contract or part-timecomponent.)50 Most Surprising Jobs with Flexibility of 2015, by Industry1. Nonprofit Philanthropy- Organic Handler Certification Specialist- National Director of Social Events- Carbon Trading and Coal Cap Policy Analyst- Family mann an ihrer seite- National Wolf Campaign Director2. Science and Pharma-Senior Marine Scientist- Anatomic Pathologist- Cardiac Genetic Counselor- Nanomaterial Research Scientist- Clinical Team Leader3. Sports Leisure- Virtual PE/Health Teacher- English Game Operator- Football Head Scout- Race Official- Coordinator of Baseball Operations4. Medical Health- Child Welfare Practice Leader Vice President- Registered Pharmacist- Biomedical Photographer- Vice President of Clinical Coding- Indigenous Birthing and Ambulatory Health Worker5. Education- Cerner Lab Workflow Analyst- Career Pastry Chef Instructor- French Studio Coach- Traffic Safety Modeler- Teacher Education Evaluator6. Law and Government- Senior Air-to-Ground Operations Executive- Democracy Program Attorney- Arabic News Monitor- Senior Trial Counsel- Innovation Fellow7. Business- Director of Talent Acquisition- Data Forensics Solution Architect Vice President- Head of Trading- Office Furniture Product Reviewer- Threat Researcher8. Food- Chocolatier- Test Kitchen Chef- Food Stylist- Gender Consultant- Indoctrination Specialist9. Writing, Editing, Communication- Editor, Mathematics- Comic Book Layout Artist- SEC Football Writers- Asia Correspondent- Museum Communications Project Manager10. Entertainment Media- Panel Membership Recruiter- Irish Ensemble- Boat Captain- Puppeteer- Cruise Captain

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

How to lead in permanent whitewater

How to lead in permanent whitewaterHow to lead in permanent whitewaterIt has been my experience, that you never get out of the rapids the feeling is one of continuous upset and chaos. PeterVaillPermanent whitewater is the newnormal.In a relentlessly changing environment, the complexity of problems is increasing faster than our ability to solve them. Trying to play catch up breaks people down and burns them out.The dynamics in our work lives create unexpected undercurrents, but also pose unforeseen opportunities thats the beauty ofpermanent whitewater.To thrive, we must embrace its perpetually changing, uncertain nature.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraMastering permanent whitewaterDealing with continuous change results in a crisis of fatigue, fear, and loss of control. Fighting what we cant control is exhausting your kollektiv needs to be energized emotionally and mentally so the y can lead and perform at their best.Ive learned that we must behave mora flexible at work I thought we were collaborating, but we were just scratching the surface.- workshop participantThere are three steps to lead in permanent whitewater, as I explain inthis webinar.1. Embrace uncertaintyIn his bookManaging as a Performing Art, Peter Vaill introduces the metaphor for the uncertainty and turbulence that shape business dynamicspermanent whitewater.We must embrace uncertainty, not as something temporary, but permanent.As Vaills explainsMost managers are taught to think of themselves as paddling their canoes on calm, still lakes. Theyre led to believe that they should be pretty much able to go where they want, when they want, using means that are under their control.(They think) disruptions will be temporary, and when things settle back down, theyll be back in the calm, still lake mode.But, as the author explains, we never get out of the rapids We will always experience continuous up set and chaos.When you realize the river will never be calm, uncertainty feels less threatening.2. Read thewatersThough whitewater feels random, its chaotic Its mostly composed of patterns. If you stop and watch a river or waterfall carefully, you can notice that some patterns are quite stable.Whitewater is formed when a river generates so much turbulence that air is entrained into the water body. It creates a bubbly, unstable current the foamy water appears white.Whitewater is exciting but also risky You can drown in turbulent waters, smash a rock or get stuck in river features. You must learn to read the waters before you jump into them.Training helps us understand the different patterns and rules to navigate permanent whitewater. Like in any space, to thrive in an uncertain reality requires formal training.3. PlayHowever, formal training is not enough We must experience the challenging waters first hand. Through play, teams can test the rules, break them, and mend them.Playing al low us to get used to practice and gain confidence in a safer space before we jump into more dangerous waters. Ken Gergen calls it Play with Purpose a spirited way of deeply, but safely, exploring patterns that create significant impact in the long run.I remember that, before my first Level 5 rafting experience, the instructors made us row against a strong waterfall. The water kept coming towards us, creating a strong force that bent the raft and put our spirits to test. It prepared us mentally and physically for the real action.Destigmatizing change in our daily lives departures by changing our attitude fun makes permanent whitewater feel less threatening.The approachTo thrive in whitewater, organizations must develop a human, adaptive, and innovative culture.Emotion ? Mindset ?BehaviorTeams must learn tomanage their individual and collective emotionsso they can reframe their mindset and, only then, can adopt new behaviors. The following is the framework we apply atLiberationist.Hu man (Emotions)Enduring change happens from within. Self-awareness is key the more you know yourself, the more you can lead yourself and others.By increasing self-awareness, we can identify the emotions that are at play. We can choose which ones we want to avoid, and which we want to use on our favor. Addressing our relationship with fear helps us understand why we resist the unexpected and also prepare for it.Self-awareness help us shift fromfear to fearlessness.Adaptive (Mindset)Managing our emotions is critical to stop resisting reality. Instead of fighting the uncertain waters, we learn to embrace their nature.An adaptive mindset requires letting go of perfectionism and expectations. We learn to focus on paddling what we can control not on trying to change the reality of the whitewater.Instead of trying to dominate whitewater we need to allow it to become. Focus on what you can control the input, not the outcome.Innovative (Behavior)To thrive in whitewater, great leaders tap into the humanity in their organizations. They see and liberate the best in others by creating a safe space for experimentation. Playing is not only permitted, but encouraged.Improvisation is a necessary skill to navigate whitewater teams must be able to think on their feet to solve unexpected problems. Creativity is a meta-skillfor the 21st Century It can no longer be limited to a few. Organizational play requires safe spaces in which to break the rules, make mistakes, and recover and the freedom to try it over and over.Mistakes are lessons to discover what doesnt work so we can then uncover what will work.The human side of whitewaterWe recently facilitated anotherhow to lead on permanent whitewater workshop, in partnership with Chicago Ideas. It welches an open session with executives from various organizations.Here are some of the key insights based on participants feedback.1. Vulnerability makes usstrongerYou cant transform a team or organization without going through a personal tra nsformation first. Personal development is the foundation of leadership development.The more we embrace our vulnerability, the more we can jump into the unexpected with an open mind. Usually, when practicing self-awareness exercises, people reactions are extreme they either challenge themselves or become over defensive.Arrogance is an ineffective defense mechanism. Some participants try to justify what they already know to present themselves as experts in front of others. At the end of the session, these are the ones who learn the least Luckily, they are usually a minority.Intellectual humilityis essential to experiment and deal with unknown waters.2. Leading is a teamsportWhen the water is shaking your raft from one place to another, you have to act with speed and determination. Theres no room for a command-and-control approach Every teammate must make decisions in the heat of the moment.To thrive in permanent whitewater requires turning the whole crew into change agents to democra tize leadership, as Idiscussed at this conference.Everyone has the ability and responsibility to lead.3. Pause to find thepatternKeeping our mind calm is essential to observe and reflect. Weve been trained to be constantly in a rush. We associate being busy with effectiveness and productivity. However, speed without purpose is pointless failing fast is not enough we must fail smart.Mindfulness allows us to become more present and wiser. Instead of running from one meeting to another, from one fire to the next, we must approach chaos with a calm mind.Even within craziness, theres a logical pattern find it.4. People feel safer with strangersEvery time I start working with a new organization, I cannot stress this enoughIf you cant build a safe space, dont expect people to become more innovative.In open workshops, people come with a more open mind than when attending in-company ones. Executives feel more comfortable to experiment and make mistakes in front of strangers.My boss would nev er let me do this,they always tell us.Building collective trust is not just necessary, but vital leaders must model behavior.You cannot navigate uncertain waters with people you dont trust.5. Get wet before entering theriverWhen we try to change everything, we end changing nothing. Small changes can create a larger impact, in the long run, than large ones - They usually generate more resistance than adoption.Thats why I like to equip teams with simple tools and methods they can implement within their everyday practices.Microstructuresare less complex processes and dynamics that dramatically shape how teams collaborate and make things happen. They can help redesign brainstormings, meetings, feedback, problem-solving, participation, and accountability. Rather than bringing new practices, start by improving existing ones.You have to go small before you go big.6. Get ready to fall off theboatOne of the participants said that innovation is only good if it succeeds. That for me is a red l ight. Of course, innovation that doesnt create results is useless. But, perfectionism and innovation dont get along very well.You never know whats going to work until you implement it. Purposeful play is finding the balance between results and experimentation. Playing without caring about the end result is a waste of time and resources. But, expecting every experiment to work is approaching innovation with a perfectionist mindset The reason many companies innovate, but fail to launch their innovations.If you dont want to fall off the boat, forget about thriving in whitewater.7. Go with theflowMy first experience on a level 5 river was exhilarating. At some point, we had to plunge down a 30 ft waterfall. When we were reaching the edge, it felt threatening.But theres a technique to everything. If you know what to do, and are confident about it, theres nothing to be afraid of. Actually, the less you resist, the more youll succeed. Sounds counterintuitive, but its true.Going with the fl ow is less dangerous than fighting the brave nature of whitewater.We went all the way down that waterfall. It was exhilarating and fun nobody fell off the boat. The best lesson to lead in business whitewater I learned it by navigating real river rapids focus on what you can control the input not on what you cant.You cant control whitewater go with the flow.This article originally appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Friday, November 22, 2019

A MiniSensor for Brain Scanning

A MiniSensor for Brain Scanning A MiniSensor for Brain Scanning Magnetoencephalography is a non-invasive means for monitoring brain activity. The electrical signals that course through the brain, like every electric current, generate a magnetic field, and that magnetism can be picked up by special sensors. But while MEG has many actual (and potential) applications, the current means for picking up the weak magnetic signature involves donning a large, cryogenically cooled helmet.Recently, researchers at the Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt in Berlin, Germany, conducted experiments intended to demonstrate that the cumbersome helmet could be replaced by a sensor the size of a sugar cube.The German scientists, together with researchers from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, CO, where the device welches developed, measured the alpha waves in the brain that were produced in conjunction with a test subject opening and closing his eyes.Quantum konzeptio n MPMS XL Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer. Image source PDI-Berlin.deUp until now, researchers wanting to study brain signals with great sensitivity relied on a superconducting quantum interference device, or SQUID. These devices use loops of high-temperature superconductors to measure minuscule changes in magnetic fields as the magnetic flux passes through one of the loops, it induces a change in the flow of electricity through the circuit. Using specially shielded rooms and loops cooled to 4 K, an array of SQUID sensors can detect the magnetic fields created by the electrical signals from as few as 50,000 neurons firing.The new PTB/NIST sensor isnt that sensitive, but it has two huge advantages over SQUID helmets its cheaper and it works at room temperature. It also relies on a different means to detect magnetic fields. The active sensing material is a cloud of 100 billion atoms of rubidium. A property of rubidium is that its ability to absorb infr ared light increases if it is in a magnetic field. The sensor illuminates the rubidium gas with an infrared laser and then measures how much light passes through the less light, the greater the magnetic field.In tests conducted in a magnetically shielded lab in Berlin, the rubidium cloud sensor was able to detect a magnetic field measuring one-trillionth of a tesla. Thats still a factor of ten less sensitive than a SQUID device, but NIST researchers are hoping to improve the sensitivity of the light detectors in order to match the SQUID-based MEG.If a cheap and portable non-SQUID magnetoencephalography can be perfected, researchers hope that it will be able to open up new ways to understand whats going on inside our heads. Not only could such a sensor be used to map the brain in advance of surgery, but it could become the basis of a computer interface that uses brainwaves to control machines.To read the latest issue of Mechanical Engineering, click here.The new PTB/NIST sensor isnt that sensitive, but it has two huge advantages over SQUID helmets its cheaper and it works at room temperature.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Leadership Questions for Employers to Ask Applicants

Leadership Questions for Employers to Ask ApplicantsLeadership Questions for Employers to Ask ApplicantsIts very useful to have a set of job interview questions about leadership that can help you determine if your candidate is a good leader. These important questions serve to identify leadership capabilities for any individual who will be hired into a leadership role in your organization. Additionally, the most successful organizations foster leadership in all of their employees at every level of the organization. The following sample interview questions will also help you identify the leadership potential of your candidates for other company roles. Before the Interview Start out by understanding the qualities and characteristics that you seek in a leader. You may find some insight by first reading the ten characteristics of a successful leadership style. These will ensure that your questions are formulated to identify the right beliefs, traits, values, and experience. Questio ns to Determine If a Job Candidate Is a Good Leader The following sample job interview questions about leadership enable you to assess your candidates skills and experience. Feel free to use these job interview questions in your own candidate interviews or use them as the basis for creating your own questions. You decided to reorganize the department or work unit that you lead. Tell me how you proceeded with the reorganization? What steps did you follow especially with the employees who work in the department?Have you ever been a member of a successful kollektiv? If so, describe the role that you played on the team and in its success.Give me an example of a time when you played a leadership role in an event, an activity, a department or work unit, or a project. Describe how you led the efforts.Think about times when you have had to perform in a leadership role and tell me how people responded to your leadership efforts? Tell me about a time when you failed. How did it happen? How d id you handle it?If I were to ask your reporting staff or your peers to comment on your leadership style, your leadership strengths, and your leadership weaknesses, how would they respond? What would this discussion tell me about you as a leader?Would you rather that your employees respected you or feared you? Is there the opportunity in a leadership role to inspire both reactions from your employees?Tell me about a time when you created agreement and shared purpose from a situation in which all parties originally differed in opinion, approach, and objectives. As a leader within an organization, you must often build support for goals and projects from people who do leid report to you and over whom you have no authority. Tell me about a situation in which you demonstrated that you can build the needed support.In organizations, the direction often comes down the chain of command and so the initiatives you must implement were not developed by you. In fact, you may or may not have had i nput into their implementation. Tell me about a time when you implemented a required initiative with your staff. How did you go about the implementation? What are the three most important values you demonstrate as a leader? Tell me a story that demonstrates each of these leadership values in practice within your workplace.During your work experiences while attending college, tell me about a time when you demonstrated that you have leadership ability and skill. Leadership Job Interview Outcomes You are questioning to determine whether the candidate has leadership skills or potential. Seek to identify the leadership style of your candidate, from his or her perspective and from the perspective of his or her direct reporting staff and peers. Above all, however, make sure to know and avoid any Job Interview Questions That Are Illegal. The point is to determine whether the candidates style is congruent with the culture of your organization. It is helpful if you have already created a leadership profile that identifies the skills and traits of successful leaders within your organization. Leadership style is best demonstrated in stories. Self-examination and commentary are ?self-serving, at best, in an interview setting. Ask your candidates for many specific stories and examples. Read on for mora Job Interview Questions for Employers.